Police investigate a suspected homicide in a home on Edgepark Way N.W. in Calgary on Jan. 10, 2018.Jim Wells/Postmedia

The severe autism of a Calgary murder suspect makes him unfit to stand trial, a psychiatrist says.

In a letter addressed to provincial court, and filed by defence lawyer Ben Leung as an exhibit on Friday, Dr. David Tano finds Vincent Fong doesn’t fully comprehend the legal process.

Tano wrote that Fong, 36, appears to have “significant difficulties with autistic spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“He appears to be quite low functioning and has great difficulties in communicating. Though he may be able to articulate certain aspects as to why he is incarcerated, it is quite clear that he does not appreciate what that means or what he may be facing with respect to trial, potential consequences, etc.,” Tano said.

“Given his cognizant difficulties, despite coaching efforts to teach him the various aspects of the court proceedings, at this point I cannot medically state that he appreciates the nature of the proceedings of the court, nor can I state that he can advise his counsel.”

Tano said Fong would not even “fulfil the threshold of . . . a limited cognitive capacity test.”

“As a result of my examination and information concerning the (alleged) offence before your honour, it is my opinion that Mr. Fong does not fulfil the medical criteria for fitness to stand trial.”

Tano added Fong has been certified under the Mental Health Act and should remain in the custody of staff at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre instead of being held in remand.

Leung and Crown prosecutor Darren Maloney adjourned the case to March 18 to get clarification from Tano on aspects of his full psychiatric report, which was not made an exhibit.

At that time they’re expected to schedule a hearing to determine if Fong meets the judicial test for a finding of unfitness to stand trial.

Fong was arrested Jan. 9 and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father, Shu Kwan Fong.

At an earlier court appearance, as lawyers discussed having him sent for a psychiatric evaluation, Fong stood fidgeting in the prisoner’s box, twice spinning around while speaking to a Cantonese interpreter.

At that time, Leung said Fong was not opposed to being sent for testing.

“And then what happens after?” Fong asked, through the interpreter, before spinning around 360 degrees in the prisoner’s box. He also repeatedly flapped his right hand. Both behaviours are common in individuals with autism.

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